Accelerating from zero

Sometimes, the most daunting words are ‘Chapter’ and ‘One’. And, then? What happens next? You’ve done your plotting and planning, and naff all comes to mind. Not a single word - nada, zip. 

Or you’ve plotted so much that you feel that your voice is getting lost in the writing.

When the going gets tough, it’s time for the tough to get going*:

• Start at the end. Write your last chapter. The chapter where the HEA or HFN happens.
• Uncover the action. What’s the juicy bit that will change your character’s life? Write that scene. Are they getting fired? Did they catch their partner in a compromising position? Did their bitchy boss tell them they needed to get a life? Whatever it is, write that scene.
• Tell me how you met, again? Write up the scene where your lovers meet for the first time. 

It doesn’t matter if you write your novel in a non-linear manner. No-one will ever know. 

Other things to try:

• Only the talking bits. Leave out your description and your action. But, make sure the dialogue either furthers the plot or reveals character, otherwise it’s filling up space. 
• Find your favourites. I like writing certain scenes more than others.  If you like action scenes, write that. If you like sex scenes, write that. Lean towards the writing you find easiest. 

*Do not censor what you write, just get in there and GO. You can always fix up and edit later. What we want here is actual words on the screen/notebook/chalkboard. ​